Racecards
16:50 Pontefract
King Richard Iii Stakes (Fillies' Handicap) (fillies) (Class E)
- 17 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 60-0000
- Age 5
- Weight 9-10
with leaders, ridden, weakend over 2f out
- Form 00-0000
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer B Smart
- Jockey Paul Scallan
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Gracia
16- Form 0-35053
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer S C Williams
- Jockey G Carter
held up behind, ridden, headway on inner 3f out, not clear run over 1f out, ran on well towards finish
- Form 63430-0
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey E Ahern
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 03-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey W Woods
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
- Form 636-650
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer P McBride
- Jockey D McGaffin
steady start, held up behind, ridden, headway on outer over 2f out, no impression after
Jessie
45- Form 00040-0
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Don Enrico Incisa
- Jockey Kim Tinkler
always towards rear
- Form 20-0023
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer J Toller
- Jockey Lisa Jones
behind, ridden, headway on inner over 2f out, not much room 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 2-03006
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
in touch, ridden, headway on outer well over 1f out, kept on same pace after
Mellino
28- Form 0-30660
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
mid division, ridden, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on, chased winner final furlong, kept on towards finish
- Form 650-000
- Age 6
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer M Blanshard
- Jockey J Quinn
slowly away, behind, switched left start, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 056264
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
- Form 040060
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer J Wainwright
- Jockey P Hanagan
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 6-5002
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer P Harris
- Jockey Tony Culhane
mid division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
- Form 000-202
- Age 4
- Weight 8-6
in touch, weakened over 1f out
- Form 0-00450
- Age 6
- Weight 8-2
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 00/6
- Age 5
- Weight 7-13
- Trainer John Harris
- Jockey J Bramhill
always towards rear, tailed off over 2f out
Rupesh (IRE)
74- Form 00000-0
- Age 3
- Weight 7-12
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey J F McDonald
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
With a low draw favoured in this type of race, Flowerdrum is taken to follow up her recent Leicester win, with Just One Smile possibly her biggest danger. Only lightly raced, the Willie Haggas-trained filly won her maiden well and, although, that is not earth-shattering form, the runner-up has won since and a handicap mark of 70 is hardly excessive. Of the others, Another Secret has winning form from a 7lb-higher mark but that cam two years ago on good to soft; Ellen Mooney has been out of form but a return to her best would help the cause - as could first-time cheekpieces. Gracia won well over course and distance last time but has a poor draw. The lightly-raced Compton Emerald could also be interesting in first-time blinkers but needs to step up on recent shows. Just One Smile is also lightly raced but ran well from today's mark at Hamilton last time. Her stablemate, Mellino, showed some ability in first-time blinkers last time but is hard to make a compelling case for, even though she is stepped up in trip now. Sharp Secret, Encore Royale and Regimental Dance are others that need to be borne in mind in a tricky race, but well stick with Flowerdrum.